In town, CEC seeks report, promises action

Chief Election Commissioner T.S. Krishnamurthy was in Lucknow today when 22 women were killed in a stampede at a function where free sarees were being distributed. Krishnamurthy, who was visiting UP to review poll preparedness, asked Chief Secretary V.K. Diwan to give a detailed report on the incident. ‘‘An appropriate decision will be taken after studying the report,’’ he said, avoiding a direct comment on whether the incident was a clear violation of the model code of conduct.

The Election Commission’s much-quoted model code states: All parties and candidates shall scrupulously avoid all activities which are ‘‘corrupt practices’’ and offenses under the election law, such as bribing voters, intimidation of voters…. EC sources admitted that ‘‘this could be treated as a case of bribery of the voters. And that is an offense in itself’’. The model code also states that: The (political) party or candidate shall inform local police authorities of the venue and time of any proposed meeting well in time so as to enable the police to make necessary arrangements for controlling traffic and maintaining peace and order.

Incidentally, the Lucknow SSP Rajiv Ranjan Verma had said that permission was not taken to organise the function. The SSP also said that prohibitory orders were in force in view of the parliamentary polls and the administration had neither been informed about the venue nor about the function where 10,000 women gathered to receive free sarees from Tandon.

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On such a violation, the model code clearly specifies: A party or candidate shall ascertain in advance if there are any restrictive or prohibitory orders in force in the place proposed for the meeting. If such orders exist, they shall be followed strictly.

The model code has special strictures for the ‘party in power’ whether at ‘‘the Centre or in the state or states’’ concerned. Rule VI (A) of the code states: From the time elections are announced by the Commission, Ministers and other authorities shall not announce any financial grants in any form or promises.